December 2025
My first paper got a cool little feature in the Department of Energy’s Science Highlights! Come check it out below: https://www.energy.gov/science/ber/articles/not-lost-translation-algae-show-how-make-two-proteins-one-messenger-rna
August 2025
I traveled all the way to Münster, Germany for the 21st International Conference on the Cell and Molecular Biology of Chlamydomonas! It was amazing to watch Sabeeha give the opening keynote, and I had the opportunity to present two posters on Auxenochlorella. It was a pleasure connecting with the Chlamy and broader algae research community.
July 2025
After winning an NIH F31 fellowship late last year, I was notified this Spring that my grant would be terminated as part of the massive cuts to the NIH. But even in bad times patience and resilience can pay off. In another surprising turn of events, this month I was notified that UC Berkeley and the NIH came to an agreement to retroactively award my grant and I can once again say that I’m an NIH Fellow!
April 2025
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be interviewed by QB3-Berkeley about my work on the polycistronic paper and to share some insights on writing your first research paper. Come read the interview here: https://qb3.berkeley.edu/news/focus-on-marco-duenas/.
March 2025
The Auxenochlorella genome is finally out in preprint form. This green alga has great genetic tools and precise gene targeting useful for both basic biology and engineering applications. I’m excited to have contributed to this, check it out below and keep a lookout for another publication on the horizon very soon.
February 2025
Thrilled to share that my first first-author paper is officially out as a PNAS direct submission! In this study, we combined bioinformatics and in vivo mutational analyses to reveal that multiple ORF translation in algal polycistrons is driven by episodic leaky scanning events. We also leveraged this mechanism for tunable transgene expression. These findings have exciting implications for the role of upstream open reading frames in eukaryotes and applications in synthetic biology. Huge thanks to Rory Craig, Sean Gallaher, Jeffrey Moseley, and Sabeeha Merchant for their guidance throughout this project!
December 2024
I was honored to be able to present my work on the polycistronic project at the Bay Area RNA club at UCSF and be selected as one of the best talks! It was so much fun and I got to see so much cool RNA research.
November 2024
I was awarded a NIH F31 NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). For the rest of my PhD, I will be a NIH fellow! This was a beast of a fellowship to write and it was looking rough after the initial reviews. A good reminder to never give up because you never know when hard work and a little luck can pay off!
August 2024
My first author preprint on the mechanism of polycistronic expression in green algae is here! Thanks so much to Sabeeha, Jeff, Rory, and Sean for their guidance on this, it was a lot of hard work but I’m so happy to have it out in the world!
July 2024
I attended my first-ever international Gordon Research Conference in Spain, focused on Chloroplasts and Mitochondria. It was incredible to hear from leading experts in the field and experience a GRC for the first time. The best part? Visiting Spain had been a family dream, so my mom, dad, and brother joined me — making it truly the trip of a lifetime.
May 2024
After two years of engaging journal clubs, discussions, and activities, I concluded my time in the NIH-funded Genetic Dissection of Cells and Organisms Training Program with an oral presentation on my work uncovering the mechanism driving multiple ORF translation in green algae. I’m deeply grateful for the funding this training program provided, as well as the opportunity to discuss genetics with such a talented cohort of young scientists.
April 2024
Submitted an NIH F31 grant and got to show off my research at the Department of Energy’s GSP meeting in Washington D.C. all in one week!
April 2023
After grueling months of studying, writing, and practicing, I officially passed my qualifying exam, chaired by Kris Niyogi, and am now a PhD candidate! Though it was a tough prep season, I emerged from the exam a stronger expert in my field and ready to further develop my research. I celebrated with a trip to the fish store and a viewing of the new Super Mario Bros. movie!
March 2023
After completing my first semester as a Graduate Student Instructor for General Biology, I was honored to receive the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award, which recognizes UC Berkeley GSIs each year for exceptional teaching. Nominations come from both students, and I’m especially grateful to have been recognized by my students for their support and engagement.
November 2022
A surprise visit from my parents right before my birthday. I got to show them the Merchant lab space and take them to some of my favorite spots throughout Berkeley!
October 2022
My first poster session in graduate school at the UC Berkeley Plant Genome Engineering Symposium! I shared some exciting preliminary results from my rotation, where I worked on engineering Auxenochlorella to modify its lipid profile to more closely resemble that of human milk.
May 2021
After an enriching four years at UCR, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biology. Exciting times ahead, and I’m ready for the next chapter at UC Berkeley!
March 2021
After a long set of grad school interviews, I made the final decision to join UC Berkeley’s Department of Plant & Microbial Biology as a PhD student. Here’s to the next chapter!
August 2019
My first-ever oral presentation at the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Symposium at UCR! I shared my current projects on sodium and potassium ion transporters and their role in maintaining homeostasis under salinity stress. Though I was a little nervous, it was an amazing experience. The best part was having my family cheering me on from the audience.
May 2019
My first-ever poster session at UCR’s Undergraduate Research Symposium! I presented my research conducted at the USDA on the protein High Affinity Potassium Transporter (HKT1) and its role in conferring salt tolerance in almond rootstocks. Great discussions, intriguing questions — a successful poster session for sure!
